Earlier this month, staff of GRCVB's Destination Services Department attended the Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA) Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky. For over 30 years, ESPA has been the leading voice for event service professionals across North America, and as the only association dedicated to this field, ESPA brings together experts from CVBs, hotel and convention center managers, planners and hospitality industry students to connect, learn and be heard.

We asked our services team members in attendance to share a favorite moment from the conference that may interest our Wake County hospitality and tourism partners.

Director of destination services Tammy Jeffries, CGSP^®:
"Attending the ESPA conference during the Leadership Track was an inspiring and energizing experience. Hospitality leaders from destination marketing organizations, convention centers and hotels of all sizes gathered to share best practices, exchange ideas and discuss the evolving landscape of our industry. Engaging with my peers on key topics like site visits, transportation, staffing, team management and mental health reinforced the importance of collaboration and innovation in our field. It gave me the momentum to step into 2025 with fresh perspectives and renewed enthusiasm. I am excited to apply these insights and continue driving excellence in service leadership!"

Assistant director of destination and sports services Gray Henderson, CGSP^®:
"Attending ESPA’s annual conference has always been an invaluable opportunity for the services folks in our industry, where there is not always a lot of focus on education. In recent years, ESPA has added sports-focused content, which has been crucial to me as I transitioned to a sports-focused role in our department. This year, I most enjoyed the round-table discussions with other sports services professionals to pick their brains about what their destinations were offering for various levels of sporting events. Additionally, I was able to attend a session with a panel that consisted of previous large city-wide sporting events (like the NFL Draft, and the Super Bowl). The way those destinations partnered with neighboring destination marketing organizations was very insightful, especially for an area like ours where we can leverage offerings from neighboring counties to accommodate events that may be considered too large for our destination. I am excited to attend the next ESPA annual conference and see what new ideas and concepts I can bring home to Raleigh!"

Destination services manager Katie Clark, CGSP^®:
"What I love most about the ESPA conference is the unique focus on services, where everyone in attendance works in a service-related role. While it may seem like organizations and cohorts are doing similar things, through conversation it becomes clear that each role is unique, sparking inspiring discussions and new insights. It is a space where you get boosted by others while sharing experiences and inspiration.

"One of the central themes throughout ESPA was the importance of the services department, especially now that we are five years post-pandemic. The conversation revolved around the need for others to recognize the value and impact of services roles. It was a powerful reminder of the worth of what you do, and the conference provided a platform to unite industry peers in this collective acknowledgment."

Destination services manager Christina Laskorunsky, CGSP^®:
"The annual ESPA conference was a great opportunity to pick the brains of event services professionals around the country. Whether representing destinations sprawling or small, other attendees have so many new ideas to share. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility continue to be a huge theme of this conference, not only as a breakout session topic but also woven into the event itself. The conference organizers integrated activities involving reusable water bottles, an art project for local hospitals and even the local pet shelter."

Overall, ESPA's 2025 conference proved to be an enriching experience for our team, and we look forward to utilizing what we have learned to serve visitors and partners in the destination better.

If your staff members are interested in becoming a member of ESPA, please visit the ESPA website to explore the full range of member benefits and experiences through which service professionals connect, grow and lead.